[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 139 (Monday, September 19, 2011)]
[Senate]
[Pages S5707-S5708]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   REMEMBERING SENATOR CHARLES PERCY

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, this weekend Senator Charles Percy of 
Illinois, the progressive Republican and father-in-law of Senator Jay 
Rockefeller, died at age 91. He had been failing for some time, and I 
maintained contact with Senator Rockefeller about his wife's father. I 
didn't know Senator Percy--only by reputation. But I do know he was an 
independent thinker and a moderate who always put his country before 
party. The Senate could use more of his brand of pragmatism today.
  Senator Percy was a proponent of tough environmental regulations and

[[Page S5708]]

consumer protections and was an outspoken opponent of the Vietnam war 
and a proponent of nuclear nonproliferation. He was also a Navy veteran 
and businessman who was often mentioned as a Presidential contender.
  This body, the Senate, honors him for his faithful service to his 
country as a sailor and as a Member of Congress. My thoughts are with 
his family, including Senator Rockefeller and his lovely wife Sharon.

                          ____________________